GAGE coaches Al Fong and Armine Barutyan suspended by SafeSport (Pending appeal) 2/26/26: USAG terminates GAGE membership

[IratePanda]

Sorry and thanks for the correction. She sat out everything but UB in 2006, though, correct? That was the year she had the bad ankle injury, if I’m not mistaken.
I remember watching 2007 nationals and they were saying how Nastia had very little training time leading up to it due to her injury, I think, so I should have doublechecked.

Yes, she had a severe ankle injury at 2006 Worlds and only competed UB. She underwent surgery shortly afterwards.

 

[QuietColours]

Valeri seemed popular as the developmental coordinator. I remember seeing some suggestions that he worked better managing the group of athletes then being intensely focused on one person. It's a bit hard to tell how Nastia was different--he saw everything that was going on with her; could manage every aspect of training, rest, and rehab; wasn't working with any crazy parents (everyone remember the stories about Mr. Bross) besides himself and his wife; and the emotional investment and approach had to different.

 

[irichluck21]

Nastia also had the pedigree/DNA of two elite gymnasts. Literally gymnastics in her genes.

 

[MaryClare]

Nastia also had the pedigree/DNA of two elite gymnasts. Literally gymnastics in her genes.

She had a truly terrible body for artistic gymnastics. It’s genuinely astounding she was able to do floor and vault to such a high level.

 

[Matilda23]

What are the stories about Mr Bross?

 

[KorbutFan]

What are the stories about Mr Bross?

IIRC he once made Rebecca run home while he drove or something like that

 

[cftmoonlight79]

What are the stories about Mr Bross?

Apparently Geddert thought he was too much

 

[crdubb17]

She had a truly terrible body for artistic gymnastics. It’s genuinely astounding she was able to do floor and vault to such a high level.

You think so? Vault is fair but idk about floor. Double flipping wasn't her greatest skill (who knows how this would've been developed had it been a requirement when she were younger), but she's one of the best rebounders and twisters we've ever seen. The dance elements are better than most, and she didn't abuse them to counteract weak tumbling. That triple full at the end was almost too easy. I wonder what we might've seen from her come 2008 had she not had that ankle injury.

 

[MaryClare]

You think so? Vault is fair but idk about floor. Double flipping wasn't her greatest skill (who knows how this would've been developed had it been a requirement when she were younger), but she's one of the best rebounders and twisters we've ever seen. The dance elements are better than most, and she didn't abuse them to counteract weak tumbling. That triple full at the end was almost too easy. I wonder what we might've seen from her come 2008 had she not had that ankle injury.

Her rebound ability is what’s amazing. But it’s all through training, in spite of her body type. She can twist for the same reason figure skaters can.